The Delaware Senate today passed the Ron Silverio/Heather Block Delaware End-of-Life Options Act (HB 140) in a vote of 11-8, with two Senators absent. HB 140 now awaits consideration by Governor Matt Meyer, who publicly stated he will sign it into law following its historic first passage by the Delaware General Assembly last June and tragic veto by former Governor Carney in September. 

“Lightning struck twice – after a momentous and bittersweet session in 2024, we are incredibly grateful for the hard work by lawmakers, advocates, and volunteers, which got this bill across the finish line again,” said Heather Pope, Delaware campaign manager for Compassion & Choices Action Network. “The Senate’s vote today is not only for the Delaware End-of-Life Options Act, but also a vote in support of all Delawareans having access to a full range of end-of-life options that align with their values and beliefs. We were encouraged by Governor Meyer’s commitment last year to sign medical aid-in-dying legislation into law and hope he takes action on HB 140 soon.”

Wilmington’s Judy Govatos has been fighting to pass medical aid-in-dying legislation in Delaware since 2018 while enduring various treatments and periods of remission for incurable lymphoma, originally diagnosed in 2014. Govatos testified before the Senate Executive Committee on April 9 that only weeks ago, she found out that her cancer had returned and her time left to live is likely limited because she cannot physically withstand any additional treatment.

“For me, this will be my legacy: I would like to leave life thinking that I have made compassion and choices into Delaware law,” said Govatos in response to news that the Delaware Legislature had passed HB 140. “I am profoundly grateful for lawmakers who have voted in favor of all Delawareans, regardless of race, creed, religion, or other beliefs, having access to a death that aligns with their values.” 

Judy Govatos (left), and Susan Lahaie (right), wife of Ron Silverio, at Delaware Legislative Hall before testifying at the Senate Executive Committee Hearing on HB 140 on April 9, 2025.

When she thinks about her own end, she hopes for a beautiful goodbye: “I want my family, friends, and people who love me to remember that love I hold for them.”

The Delaware End-of-Life Options Act would allow mentally capable, terminally ill adults in Delaware the option to request and self-ingest prescription medication to peacefully end their lives. The bill features numerous safeguards, including a requirement that two healthcare providers certify that a person requesting medical aid in dying has a prognosis of six months or less to live, and makes it a crime to coerce a terminally ill person into using this end-of-life option.

In a 2020 poll, nearly three out of four Delaware voters (72%), including 77% of Wilmington voters, 70% of New Castle County voters, 71% of Kent County voters, 69% of Sussex County voters, 72% of Democratic voters, 75% of Independent voters and 67% of Republican voters, support medical aid-in-dying legislation in Delaware.

A 2022 survey found that nearly three out of four Delaware physicians (74%) support medical-aid-in-dying legislation, and 70% said they would want the option of medical aid in dying for themselves, if necessary.

Medical aid in dying is authorized in 10 states and Washington, D.C., representing more than one out of five U.S. residents (22%). Oregon was the first state to implement the medical practice over 25 years ago in 1997.

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